Water park project at World Resort OK’d

Construction of the much-awaited multi-million dollar water park project at the World Resort Saipan could now go ahead with the Coastal Resources Management approving the project’s permit on April 8.

The departments of Commerce, Lands and Natural Resources, and Public Works, Division of Environmental Quality, Historic Preservation Office and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. jointly granted the permit for the construction of the water theme park.

The 11-page coastal permit imposed certain conditions, however, that the World Resort management must comply with before starting work on the theme park.

The project was originally projected to begin construction last month but this was delayed due to some legal concerns that were raised during a special board meeting at the CRM office.

It was found out during that meeting that some water park amenities would violate the Marianas Public Lands Authority shoreline restrictions, as provided under Public Law 12-33.

CRM acting secretary and permitting manager Martin Castro said yesterday that, although the World Resort project has already been approved, it would still have to work with MPLA on its shoreline restrictions.

“But they can already begin construction,” said Castro.

The water park facility will include a wave pool, lazy river, scuba pool, kids’ pool, landing pool to feature a slide tower, water coaster, tube slide, body slide, bowl slide, a model ship, aqua play area, and supporting amenities such as restrooms, pools, bars, pavilions, mechanical equipment buildings and landscaping.

The project would be located at the leased government property containing an area approximately 40,498 square meters in Susupe, across the Joeten Shopping Center and Joeten Kiyu Public Library.

Among the conditions that World Resort must comply with is the submission to CRM of a letter from MPLA certifying that the lease to World Resort does not violate the restrictions contained in the Public Law 12-33.

Other conditions include securing an Earthmoving and Erosion Control permit from DEQ; permit for water drilling and underground injection; all construction plans must be in compliance with practical construction techniques and design standards in the CNMI; and coordination with CUC and other agencies in the construction of the theme park, among others.